After the federal ban on alcohol was lifted, each state developed its own system for regulating the distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages. The same could be the case with currently illegal drugs. For example, states could create different regulations for marijuana, heroin, and cocaine. Massachusetts makes it illegal to be in a place where heroin is stored and to be “in the company” of someone known to possess heroin. Anyone who is in the presence of heroin at a private party or dormitory risks a harsh drug sentence. The sale and possession of drug paraphernalia is illegal in Massachusetts. Under federal and certain state laws, participation in drug-related criminal activity may result in the seizure or loss of personal property and other property used in or derived from the proceeds of illegal activity. In addition, the conviction of a drug offence may result in civil fines and the denial or revocation of certain licences and benefits. Illicit drug possession by minors occurs when a person under the age of 18 possesses, uses, or distributes a controlled substance listed by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) without a lawful purpose. One of the most influential factors during a child`s adolescence is maintaining a strong and open relationship with a parent. When parents create supportive and nurturing environments, children make better decisions. While this doesn`t always seem to be the case, children do hear their parents` concerns, which is why it`s important for parents to discuss the risks of substance use. For minors, no amount of possession of controlled substances is considered legal.
However, the amount of substance in a minor`s possession if caught is likely to have a decisive impact on his or her suitability for juvenile court, alternative sentencing, and the severity of those sentences. A study by the Addiction Research Institute of Ontario, Canada (Childhood Experiments, Adult Addictions), published in Health Education and Behavior (December 1997), found that “the earliest risk of alcohol use (10 and 11 years) is closely followed by illicit prescription drug use (11 years) and hallucinogen use (12 years). Massachusetts has criminal penalties for the use of controlled substances or drugs, with penalties varying depending on the type of drug. In general, the use of narcotic drugs and addictive substances, as well as drugs with high abuse potential, is punishable by harsher penalties. If a juvenile is caught using drugs during probation, the juvenile will be charged with a probation violation (VOP) and will have his probation revoked, the imposition of a harsher sentence by the drug court, the risk of being expelled from the juvenile court or possibly detained in a juvenile detention center. About 10 percent of 12-year-olds say they`ve tried alcohol, but by the age of 15, that number jumps to 50 percent. In addition, nearly 70 percent of high school students will have tried alcohol, half will have taken an illegal drug, and more than 20 percent will have used a prescription drug for non-medical purposes. The sooner you talk to your children about alcohol and other drugs, the more likely you are to influence their decisions about alcohol and substance use. During alcohol prohibition in the 1920s, smugglers marketed small bottles of more than 100 Proof spirits because they were easier to hide than large, bulky kegs of beer. As a result, beer and wine consumption decreased, while hard alcohol consumption increased. Similarly, contemporary drug traffickers` preference for powdered cocaine over bulky and spicy coca leaves encourages the use of the most potent and dangerous cocaine products.
On the other hand, under legal conditions, consumers – most of whom do not want to harm themselves – play a role in determining the effectiveness of marketed products, as evidenced by the popularity of today`s light beers, wine coolers and decaffeinated coffees. Once the alcohol ban was lifted, consumption increased somewhat, but the rate of liver cirrhosis decreased because people tended to choose beer and wine over the stronger distilled spirits previously promoted by smugglers. Although the number of drinkers has increased, the health risks associated with alcohol consumption have decreased. The same dynamic would most likely occur with the legalization of drugs: some increase in drug use, but a decrease in drug abuse. Most minors charged with illegal drug possession end up in juvenile courts. Since juvenile courts place great importance on rehabilitation and treatment, it is likely that juveniles accused of crimes related to drug use and possession will be placed in a court-appointed rehabilitation program. Under federal law, the distribution of drugs to persons under the age of 21 is punishable by twice the normal penalty, i.e. a mandatory prison sentence of one year; A third sentence is punishable by life imprisonment. These penalties apply to the distribution of drugs within or within 1,000 feet of a college or school. Federal law provides significantly harsher prison sentences for the production and distribution of drugs if the death or serious bodily injury is caused by the use of the substance. In addition to the disciplinary sanctions imposed by the university, all students, faculty and staff should be aware that federal, state, and local laws treat the illegal use, possession, sale, distribution, or manufacture of drugs or alcohol as a serious crime.
A conviction can result in imprisonment, fines and community service. The courts do not overturn prison sentences to allow convicted persons to attend university or continue their work. Crimes and certain other convictions may prevent you from entering many fields of employment or professions and may need to be on applications for employment or admission to graduate or vocational schools. Drug possession offences by minors are divided into two different categories: offences related to illegal possession of prescription drugs and illegal possession of illicit narcotics. In the case of prescription drugs, any minor caught in possession of prescription drugs without a valid prescription or in violation of the terms of a prescription (prescribed amount, expiration date, etc.) has committed a crime and will be arrested and prosecuted in juvenile court.
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